LNHS Annual Report to 30[th] June 2025
LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY Registered Charity 206228
Report of the society for the year ending 30 June 2025
Objects
The objects of the London Natural History Society are the study and recording of natural history, archaeology and other kindred subjects within twenty miles of St Paul’s Cathedral, the promotion of scientific investigations, the appreciation and conservation of the natural environment and the publication in the Society’s journals of scientific and educational papers. Activities and achievements in respect of these objectives are described below.
Governance: Council, Committees and Sections
All positions within the Society are undertaken by volunteers. The Society is governed by a Council of Trustees comprising 3 officers, up to ten members’ representatives and one representative from each of the Society’s five sections.
The President’s role has been vacant since AGM 2022. James Lovely was appointed as Treasurer at AGM 2024 to replace Mike West and handover is complete. Annie Wilson continues to act as Secretary. The members are represented by Liz Andrew, Robin Blades, Noel Brock, Wendy Knight, Cassandra Lee, Joanne Maddox, Tony Madgwick and Pete Mantle. The section representatives are Cecilia Derrick (London Bird Club), Maureen Parry (Botany), Anke Marsh (Ecology and Entomology) and Kat Duke (Hampstead Heath Survey). The post of Bookham Commons representative is vacant.
The Administration and Finance Committee, chaired by Michael Wilsdon, meets five times a year to deal with delegated business, and Robin Blades continues to manage our membership despite moving to Harrogate. Council would like to acknowledge the work of Michael and Robin to fill the space left by the absence of a President and keep the society running day-to-day.
The Trustees are extremely grateful to everyone involved in delivering LNHS activities who so generously volunteer their time and expertise. And many thanks to the continuing support of our members. We are very keen to encourage members to help deliver the society’s activities, both indoors and outdoors - you do not need to be an expert in natural history.
Finances
The annual financial report accompanies this report. Many thanks to Mike West, the retiring Treasurer, and Robin Blades, the Assistant Treasurer, who have helped James Lovely to settle in to the role of Treasurer. The Society continues to benefit from members who subscribe to the gift aid scheme, for which we are very grateful. Members who qualify to use the gift aid scheme but have not signed up are encouraged to consider doing so. The Society has also been the grateful recipient of several generous bequests.
Activities
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LNHS Annual Report to 30[th] June 2025
The Virtual Talks team continues to host 'online' talks using Zoom, which are available for a limited time on YouTube after the meeting. These talks remain very popular and still attract new audience members from more geographically diverse locations than in-person meetings. The Society thanks our many speakers, who generously share their time and expertise to entertain us and recognises the hard work of the Virtual Talks team who facilitate and support the talks. If you are interested in helping to organise and deliver the virtual talks, please contact the Secretary.
A full and varied programme of field meetings was offered throughout the year. The walks across all sections of the society have been well supported, regularly attracting new attendees who sometimes became members. Many thanks to everyone who volunteers their time and knowledge to make these events happen. New leaders and attendees are always welcome.
Regular monthly Saturday field meetings at Bookham Commons continue despite the lack of a committee. The LNHS ecological survey of Bookham Commons, a Site of Special Scientific Interest near Leatherhead in Surrey, has been running continuously for more than eighty years with the result that Bookham Commons is one of the best-documented sites in the UK. Members are strongly encouraged to visit this wonderful site and contribute to the survey. We would love to be able to form a new committee to guide this work.
The Society took part in the Green Meet at Fulham Palace in May. Tony Madgwick, the Society’s Hymenoptera (bee and wasp) recorder was invited to lead bee walks. The Council was discussing the logistics of hosting an LNHS Open Day for the first time after Covid, so agreed that this would be a good opportunity to have a trial run. The bee walks proved very successful, as always, and some useful lessons were learnt.
Journals and other publications
The London Naturalist 103, edited by Clive Herbert, was distributed to members in September 2024. It comprised annual reports from officers and articles of interest covering natural history of the London area contributed by members. Many thanks to the contributors and editorial team who continue to produce a high-quality journal of which the Society is proud.
The London Bird Report No 88 for the year 2023 was published in May 2025. This annual publication is a well-regarded high-quality record of London's bird observations for 2023. Many thanks to the numerous individuals who contribute significant time and effort to its production.
Thanks as always go to Mark Burgess and contributors for the quarterly Newsletter which continues to provide members with regular news on the activities and operation of the Society. We encourage all members, old and new, to consider submitting items for publication. The Newsletter is now available as a digital download. Members are encouraged to sign up to receive the digital version and help us reduce our carbon footprint.
Many thanks to Noel Brock and his team who produce the twice-yearly programme.
At the end of 2024, Leslie Williams (LNHS Butterfly Recorder) completed his major update of ‘Butterflies of the London Area’, originally published in 1987, and sent it for publication through NatureBureau. It is available at a good nature bookshop near you! Colin Plant (LNHS Moth Recorder) and Les Evans-Hill continue to work on an updated version of 'Larger Moths of the
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LNHS Annual Report to 30[th] June 2025
London Area', and Mark Spencer (LNHS Flowering Plant Recorder & Vascular Cryptogam Recorder) is making good progress on an updated edition of 'Flora of the London Area', both last published in 1983. Each of these publications will contribute to the conservation of London habitats and wildlife. The Publications Committee was reconvened to manage these imminent publications and help bring them to fruition.
We thank all of our social media editors for publicising the Society and its events. All platforms - website, Facebook, BlueSky and Instagram - continue to prove useful in keeping members up to date and attracting new joiners.
Membership
119 new members joined the society during the membership year ending 30/09/2025, up by 21 on the previous year. The total membership at 30/09/25 was 954, down from 963.
While many new members are attracted by our programme and social media presence, we are very grateful to existing members who recruit friends because they think will enjoy what we have to offer. We encourage people to keep doing this and help the Society to continue to grow. Everyone is welcome to join field meetings or virtual talks to get a taste of the Society before they join.
We are very sorry to record the deaths of the following members during the year (date of joining in brackets), and thank them for their support of the Society, in some cases over many decades. The list includes a number of the society’s Vice Presidents and Honorary Vice Presidents. Dr Paul Bartlett (1993), Mr Philip Baumber (1957), Mr John Bedford (1952), Dr Colin Bowlt HVP (1975), Mr Rodney Burton HVP (1964), Mr Sean Huggins (1992), Mr Jeremy Ison (2009), Dr Douglas Model (1999), Mr David Montier HVP (1960), Mr Roger G. Payne (1992), Ms Nicola Pyne (1995), Mr Patrick Sellar VP (1957), Mr Raymond Uffen (1955).
Recording and research
Thanks go to all our recorders for their support and continuing hard work. They do an invaluable job of gathering data on most of the species to be found in the London area, ensuring that the information is shared, and generously help individuals with their enquiries.
In 2022, the LNHS was awarded a grant from the City of London Corporation to map key flora, fungi and lichens in the different habitats on Hampstead Heath. The project, known as the Millennial Flora of Hampstead Heath Project 2022, led by Liz Andrew (the Hampstead Heath Survey Chair), completed the survey phase in 2024. This year the project team has worked on analysing the plant, fungi and lichen data resulting from the surveys and producing reports. The project budget has been spent as planned and the final items of work are being completed. Nature's Calendar phenology part of the project will be continued by the Hampstead-based charity Heath Hands and their volunteers.
Library
The LNHS library, located in the Angela Marmont Centre for UK Biodiversity in the Natural History Museum, is an important resource for both the public (for reference) and LNHS members (for borrowing) providing access to a wide range of out of print and hard to find natural
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LNHS Annual Report to 30[th] June 2025
history titles. The library is open every Wednesday and the third Saturday every month, thanks to Leslie Bolsover, the Librarian, and James Lovely and Ron Dionne. The library regularly hosts popular Study Days, making good use of the facilities and specimens in collaboration with the Angela Marmont Centre. Leslie and her team have worked hard to increase borrowing and raise awareness of the collection. In addition to an increase in book borrowing, journals are also being borrowed and the collection is being used regularly for research and identification. Members are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this very valuable asset. Anyone interested in helping Leslie to keep the library open is strongly encouraged to step forward – library experience is not essential.
Conservation of the natural environment
Rich habitats are still under threat from developers. The Society is often asked to lend its voice to protest against such developments. Council’s view is that an appropriate campaigning body in such cases is the London Wildlife Trust, the LNHS being better positioned to provide evidencebased advice if required. Our partnership with GiGL will help ensure that our high-quality validated records are widely available for such purposes.
This report has been prepared with due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
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Summarised accounts to 30 June 2025
| Assets Bank and cash Investments |
2024/2025 13713 344949 358662 |
2023/2024 32458 338587 371045 |
|---|---|---|
| Receipts Subscriptions Donations Bequests unrestricted Bequests restricted Gift Aid Investment income Other Payments The London Naturalist London Bird Report Newsletter Mailing Library Services Hampstead restricted Hyatt restricted Other Surplus(deficit) in year |
16827 1901 0 0 0 13149 886 32763 5942 4793 4407 12553 1613 4930 2605 11950 2715 51508 -18745 |
16804 1801 6000 0 3387 10567 1905 40464 5257 5730 4100 10318 1405 4527 2136 0 3430 36903 3561 |
|---|---|---|
The signed Independent Examiner's Report and full detailed financial accounts can be found on the LNHS website
London Natural History Society (Charity Registration Number 206228) Accounts For The Year Ended 30th June 2025 Hentons Chartered Accountants Stag House Old Londoii Road Hertford Hei-IfordshiTe SG13 7LA
LONDON NATURAL HISI'ORY SOCIEI TY 'riiii ASURII Il's REI PORT FOR TTrIF. YFAii fi.NDEI D 30" JUP4E 2025 The Society's accoiinls are again presented on a Receipts and Payments basis. as perinitted by Il)e Chai'ily Comillission. Receipts froin Ineinbers and siipporteis tolalled £18,789 {compaiEd with £28,061 last year) with tlie deci'ease due to a Ic¥acy of £6,000 I'eceived ii) Ilie previoiis ycai.. 'I'lie Chai'ily received no legacy incoine or bequests in the year. Siibscriptioii incoine inci'cased fi'om £16,804 to £16,827. Tl)e Charily received a beqiiest in 2023 totalling £26,386, this was given specifically towards the publication of resiilts of rescarch or siirvey spoiisoi'ed by Ilie Society and is bcin&, l)eld iii a I'esli'icted flind for future pi'ojcct5 meeting this definition. Expcnditiii'c totalling £11,950 has been deducted fi'oin iliis resti'icted fund in the year. As at tl)e eiid of the year Il)is I'eslricled fund liad a balance of £14,436. In addition to this, no furihei. iiistaliiieiits of a grant awarded by The City of Loiidon Coi'poi?tion were i'eceived diiTiiig thc year. Tlie natui'e of this incoine is resti'ictcd, specifically foi. tlie piii'pose of tlie Hainpslead H¢atl) pi'oject foi. wliich costs wei'e iiicuri'ed in Il)e yeai. of £2,605. As at tlie eiid of tlic y¢ai' tliis I'estricted fuiid liad a balance of £1 O. Total receipts were £32,763 compared with £40,464 last year. Gift Aid lax r¢¢laim Came too late foi. inclusion in the 2024-25 financial year accounts aiid will be ci'edited in the 2025-26 financial year accoiinls. Overall expenditure lotalled £51,508 (coinpared to £36,903 last year). The Inaiii I'easoi) foi. Ilic inci'case is Il)¢ £11,950 expenditure on Ihc publication of The Butterflies of Loiidon from the restricted fund. The Charity's iiivestments have increased ii) value by 1.90/0 during the year. M&G closed thcir Cliariboi)d fuiid. The Society agi'eed to reinvest in M&G Charity Miilti Asset Fund and M&G Equities Investment Fund (Charifund), both funds al'e designed for cl)arities. At tlie yeai. end the total net assets of tlie Society as detailed in tl)¢ Statement of Assets and Liabilitics liad dccr¢as¢d by £12,383 to £358.662 compai'cd willi £371,045 last year. Reserves Policy The London Natiiral History Society may l)old fiinds in the fonn of ¢ash, stocks, shares, bonds, collective funds and otliei. cla55¢s of iiivesliiieiit deeined froin tiine to tim¢ to be appi'opriate (hei'eaftcr 'thc rcsci'v¢s'). The I'eserves will be held for the piirpose of providing an iiicome sli'cain lo support tlie Society's activities and piiblications, and Inainlain membership rates at affordablc Icvcls so as not to exclude people fi'otn the educational benefit5 of the Society, and to eiicouragc inci'cascd ai)d informed paiticipation in wildlife recording activity- Where incotne from the reserves is sufficient to tn¢el thcsc pui'poses the Society may Inake additioi)al payments fiom th¢ resci'ves to thii'd parties to fund reseai'ch and ccologieal study (witli a particular einphasis oil Il)e Londoii al'ea} wli¢i'¢ such research is consistent witli tlic objccls of Ilie Society. The triistees may dccidc to use amounts held as part of the reserves to fui)d publications or otliei. pi'ojecls whi¢l) fui'ther Ilie Socicty's cliarilable aims. 'I'he Society iises invcslineiits si?ecifically set lip for cl)ai'itics, wlii¢li invest in bonds and deposits. and not directly iii tlie equity of ii)dividual compaiiies. Each of Ilicsc fiinds lias associated etliical policics, alld Il)e Society Conside Iliis is a prudent aiid propoitioiiate meaiis of balaiicing oiir financial iieeds aiid eil)ical concei'i)s.
LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY TREA.8UREI R'S REPORT FOII THC YEAR ENDED 30 JUNEI 2025 Statement of Trustees> Responsibilities The trustees are responsible for pi'ep8riiig tl)e Ti'iistees, Ai)iiual R¢porl aiid the finaiicial stateiiiciits i accoi'dic ncc witl) applicabl¢ law aiid United Kingdoin Accounting Siai)dards (Uiiited Kiiigdoin Geiiei'ally Accepled Accouiitii)gJ Pi'acticc). The law applicable to chai'ities iii Englaiid & Wales requires the triiqtees to prepai'e financial slatemenls for eaLI) fiiianeial yeai. wliicli give a Ii'iie aiid fail. view of Ilie slate of affaii's of the cl)ai'ity and of Il)¢ incoming resoiirces and application of resources of the chai'ily for tlial period. In preparing these financial slatemenls, the Iruslees are I'equii'ed to: a) select suitable accouiiting policies and apply Iliein consistciitly> b) obseive the metl)ods and principles in the Charities SORP. c) make judgments aiid accounting esliinates that al'e I'easonable and prudent; d) state wliether applicable accounting standai'ds have beeii followed. subjccl to any material depaitiii'es diqclosed and explained in thc fii)ancial statements. el pi'epare the financial slatsinents oli tlic going concern basis unless it 15 iiiappi'opriate to presuine tliat the cliarity will continlie ii) operation The trustees are responsible for keeping sufficienl accounting I'ecords that disclose with i'easonable a¢cui'acy at any tiine the finaiicial position of the cl)ai'ily and enable thein to ensiii'e tl)al the financial statements comply will) the Charities Act 201 l. tlie Cliai'ity (Accounts and Repoixs) Regiilations 2008 aiid tlic provisioi)s of Il)e ti'ust deed. They al'e also respoiisible for safcguarding the assets of tlie cl)ai'ity and lience foi. taking i'easonable 5t¢ps for the pi'evention ai)d delectioii of fi'aud and otl)er ii'regiilarities.
LONDON NATUIIAL HISTORY socifi.TY {C.11l'ltY Rogistcre(l NiiiiibLI'_ 206228} In(JependL&iil Exainiiler's Rcpoi't to tlie Ti'u5tees of Loiidon Natui'al Histoiy Society rcport to the ti'ustees 01) my exainii)alion of the iccoui)ts of tlie Loiidoii Natui'al l-li.qtoi'y S(Kiety ('tl)e ¢liJrity') for the year ended 30 Jiiiic 2025 wliicli comprise of I'eceipts and payments and Ilie statement of assets I'IIIS T¢POrt is Inade solely to tlie cliai'ity's triistces, as a body, in accordaiicc willi scctioii 145 Chai'ities Act 201 l. My woi'k has b¢en undei'takeii so Il)at I Iniglil slatL lo Il)e eharity's ti'iistees tliose Inatt¢rs l ain requii'ed to state to thciii iii this report and foi. no oilici. puri)osc. To tlie fiillest exteiit permitted by law, we do not accept or assiiine I'cspon5ibilily lo aiiyone other than tlie cliarily ai)d tl)¢ ¢l)ai'ity's inembers a5 a body> for tliis report, or for the opinioi)s I have foi'ined. RESPONSIBILITIES AND BASIS OF REPORT As tlie ti'iistecs of Ilio cliai'ily yoii are I'espoiisible for the preparation of Ilie accounts in accoi'dance with tlie I'eqiiii'einents of tlie Charities Act 2011 ('Tlie Act,). I report ii) respect of my exainiiiation of the cliarity's accounts carried out under section 145 of tlie Act and in cai'rying out my exainii)atioii I l)ave followed all Ilie applicable Dii'ectioiJs given by tlie Chai'ity Coininission under sectlOi1 145(5)(b) of the Act. An independent examinatioii does not involve gathering all tl)e evideiice tliat would be required in an audit aiid conscquently does not covei. all thc matt¢is that an auditor consideis in givii)g tlieir opinion on Ilie a¢coun15. Tlie planning and coiiducl of ai) aiidil goes beyoiid tl)e liinilcd assiiranee that an indepeiident ¢xaininalion can provide. Conseqiiciiily, l expre&8 no audit opinion on the accuunts and my report is liinited to tliose specifiL malteis set out in tlie indcpciidcnl examiner's statement. INDEI PENDENT II XAMINER'S STATfi Mri NT I have cotnpleled my examination. J coiifirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with tlie exaiiiinatioii giving Ine caiise lo believe that iii aiiy material respect..
accounting records wei'c not l<ept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act. or Ilie accounts do not a¢cord witl) those records. J have no concerns and have come aci'oss no oilier Inattei's in conne¢tion with the exatniiiation to which attei)tion should be drawn iii tl)is report in order to enable a pioper understanding of the accounts to be reacl)ed. S W Hudson ACA l-lentons Cliailered Accountants Stag Housc, Old London Road Hertford, Ilei'ts, SG13 7LA Date.. Lg 5uktMI)or IoLb
LONDON NA'fuRAL HIS'TOIIY SOCIETY STA'I'EI MCI NT or AtsSL-I'S AND LIAIIILITIES As iii Jlltli JiinL, 2025 NotCS 2025 2024 MoEl¢tlli'y A.I5els Bcll)k BalclllCCS'. lJ.610 ioj 138 13,713 -32,458 IrivL'sliiitiil Assels M&G Cliai'iboi)d M&G Cliai'iiy Mlilii Asset FLiiid 129,235 64.757 64,175 211,552 CCLA coir Clilli'iiies Slioi'l Diiialioii Boii(I flind COIF Cl)ai'ilies Deposit fui)d 2(N.887 344,949 338,587 NLI Assets 3S8,662 371.045 Fiin(Is UIiiEslricted Ilesiricied- H14 IIIP51ead Heath Pi'oject Ile51ricted- R¢seaic5ilSiii'vey Pliblicalion Beqiiesl 344,216 io 14,436 342,044 2,615 26.J86 358,662 371,045 Ai)pi'ove(l 01) belialf ol-llie I'rLislee5 011. AEWil Secirlaiy J R Lovely
LONDON NATURAL HI8TORY.8oc.Ifi TY RECEI IPTS AND PAYMfi NTS ACCOUNT For the yeai. eii(le(130th Jiiiie 2025 RF.CFIPTS 2025 2024 Reeeipts from Members and Suppoi'ters: Subsci'iplions Donatioi)s Unrcstrictcd l.cgacy Iiicoine Restricted Legacy ii)coine Tax I'ecovered 011 Siibscriptions and Doiiations linder Gift Aid Readiiig Circle I'eccipts 16,827 1,901 16,804 1,801 6,000 3,387 69 61 18,789 28,061 Sales: Joiii'nals Biitterflies of London 375 450 612 Oiher income: Rcfiind of hall liii'e 1,224 825 1,836 IvtMent income: Chai'itics Short Dui'alion Bond Fund Chai'ilics Dcposit Fund Intci'ost Liicoinc froin M&G Chai'ibond Bank Deposit Account li)lei'LSt liitci'cst on Gift Aid tax I'ccovcred 6,482 208 6,141 318 4,720 224 5.078 470 75 13,149 10,567 Total Receipts 32,763 40,464 Less: Total Payments (Page 6) (51,508) (36,903) Net (Expenditure)IReeeipts for the year (18,745) 3,561 Cash at Bank and in Hand as at ]* July 2024 Cash at BAI)Ii aiid in Hand as at 30 June 2025 £13,713 £32,458 Unrestricted Net (ExpeiiditureyReceipts Restricted Net (Expenditiire) (4,190) (14,555) 5,697 (2,136) TotAI Net (Expenditure)IReceipts for the year (£18,745) £3,561
LONDON NATUIIAL HISTORY SOCIEI TY REI CCI IIJTS AND IJAYMfi,NT.8 ACCOUNT (Contiiiue(l) rioi. the yeai. ended 30111 June 2025 PAYMENTS 2025 2024 MeLliiig Costs, SeLtioii#l & Geiieral Ei xpeiiililiirc: Lectiii'ers, Fees aiid Expeiises. Sectional Expenses etc. Readii)g Ciirle Joui'nals Postage and Telepl)01)e Office Siipplies and eopying Services Independent Fxaminet3' Fees Insui'aiice F,xpenses allowan¢e Payiiienl processing fees io 269 361 702 915 2,280 1,73S 326 128 246 437 116 760 761 2,190 1,576 100 141 6,726 6,327 Publications: Pi'iiitiiig and Expeiises.. London NatLlI'alist No. 103 Loiidon Natui'alisl No. 102 London Bii'd Repoit 2023 London Bii'd Report 2022 5,942 5,257 4,793 5,730 10,735 10,987 Pi'ogrninme Newsletteis Mailing Publicity 433 4,407 12,553 905 4,100 10,318 17J93 15,323 Restricted fliiid Paymeiits- Hampstead Restricted Fiiiid Paymeiits- The Butterflies of London 2,605 11,950 2,136 Publi¢alionsJ Joumal Sales expenditure I,ibi'ary Website costs 83 1,613 403 401 1,405 324 51,508 36,903 Total Payments for the Year 51,508 36,903